2013 Dos Sertoes Rally Final Results

Victory for Paulo Goncalves and Speedbrain in Brazil

At the final stage of the Rally Dos Sertoes it was up to Paulo Goncalves and his Speedbrain Rally Team to take the lead home to the finish line. And they got the job done. At the longest and most challenging Rally of the world championship calendar Paulo Goncalves was able to win ahead of the Dakar winners and world champions of the previous years and put the Bavarian made Speedbrain 450 R for the first time on the top step of a world championship podium.

The stage offered a lot of different terrain despite being quite short. When Goncalves reached the finish line in third position a big burden fell off both of his and the teams shoulders. Everybody was delighted to get everything done after more than 4000 km through Brazil. The Portuguese could ride his own pace thanks to his solid margin so it was up to his toughest competitors Marc Coma and Cyril Depres to go for the stage victory.

Because of it’s length the World championship round at Brazil count double points. With the ultimate round at Egypt ahead Goncalves sits only three points behind leader Marc Coma in the world championship standings.

Paulo Goncalves:„This is a very important victory for myself and the entire team Speedbrain after becoming close second on the podium at the last several rounds. I have no words for this win today, I am so happy. And for sure this win not only belongs to me. It is a teamwork result for my Speedbrain 450 R bike and everybody of the team staff. Without their perfect job this would not have been possible. Four stage wins and nine times on the podium is a great reward when looking at the very hard race and tough competition. A big thank you also to all of our sponsors. We are only a small manufacturer but the support is great. Now I look forward to the final round at Egypt. I will fight hard to win the world championship title.”

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KTM factory rider Marc Coma on Saturday wrapped up the Dos Sertoes Rally in Brazil by winning the final Stage 10 just seven seconds ahead of rival and former teammate Cyril Despres. Coma finished third in the overall standings behind winner Paolo Goncalves of Portugal and Despres.

Following the largely tactical prologue where riders jockey for favorable starting places, the Spanish rider had a win and three second places in the next four stages. But in the first half of the marathon stage, where riders are not permitted any mechanical assistance over two consecutive stages his wheel took a big impact during Stage 5. At the start of Stage 6 he noticed a crack in the wheel and had to nurse his damaged KTM 450 Rally bike home at a very careful pace. He finished back at 23rd and lost 42 minutes in the process, most of which he managed to make up in the remaining stages. Coma then registered two more stage wins and a second and third place, making him top three in eight of ten stages.

KTM factory teammate Jakub ‘Kuba’ Przygonski of Poland finished fourth in Stage 10 and fourth overall, having moved up one place each day in the second half of the rally. Ruben Faria, the third KTM factory rider had to retire after a wrist injury in the first half of the rally.

Marc Coma:“There was not much more I could do today but I tried to finish well. It was a short stage with a very quick first part and then another mountain. I didn’t take too many risks but still tried to go as fast as possible That’s all we could do. Generally the rally has been a good one. Losing more than 42 minutes then still being able to get on the podium means I should be more than happy. We also had three stage wins. Physically I felt good, we had a good pace and we know we are competitive. We also put in quite a few more miles and that is very important for our preparation. Now e have to continue the work.”

Championship title chase hots up
Dos Sertoes was also the fifth leg of the FIM World Cross Country Rally Championships in which Coma is the points leader and is bidding to retain his world title. He and Goncalves are the main contenders and with one rally to go, the Pharaoh’s Rally in Egypt (September 28 to October 5, 2013), Coma maintains a slim 8 points lead in the title chase.